The temperature sensor can have a core having a length extending between two ends, the core having a cavity extending along the length, a wire extending in the cavity, along the length, the wire fixed at both ends, the core having a transversal aperture at an intermediary location between the ends, the transversal aperture leading into the cavity, and a potting filling a portion of the cavity and supporting the wire at the intermediary location of the transversal aperture.

Devices and methods for monitoring the temperature of tissue at various locations in a treatment volume during fluid enhanced ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation device is provided having an elongate body, at least one ablation element, and at least one temperature sensor. The elongate body includes a proximal and distal end, an inner lumen, and at least one outlet port to allow fluid to be delivered to tissue surrounding the elongate body. The at least one ablation element is configured to heat tissue surrounding the at least one ablation element. The at least one temperature sensor can be positioned a distance away from the at least one ablation element and can be effective to output a measured temperature of tissue spaced a distance apart from the at least one ablation element such that the measured temperature indicates whether tissue is being heating to a therapeutic level.

Devices, systems, and methods for degassing fluid prior to applying fluid to a treatment site during ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation system can include an elongate body, an ablation element, a heating assembly, and a fluid source. Fluid in the fluid source can be at least partially degassed prior to being provided as part of the system, or, in some embodiments, a degassing apparatus can be provided that can be configured to degas fluid within the system prior to applying the fluid to the treatment site. The degassing apparatus can include one or more gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes disposed therein, which can allow gas to be removed from fluid passing through the apparatus. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Devices and methods for shaping an ablation treatment volume formed in fluid enhanced ablation therapy are provided. The devices and methods disclosed herein utilize the interaction of fluids to create ablation treatment volumes having a variety of shapes. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ablation treatment volume having a desired shape includes delivering therapeutic energy to tissue to form an ablation treatment volume and simultaneously delivering a first fluid and a second fluid to the tissue. The first and second fluids can convect the therapeutic energy in a desired direction such that the ablation treatment volume has a desired shape.

The present invention includes: a laminated structure of an insulation substrate; a resistance pattern laminated on one side of the insulation substrate with a pure metal or an alloy which is a mixture of two or more metals at a predetermined ratio and having a resistance value which is set by a pattern having a length and a cross-sectional area; a first insulator layer coated on an upper surface of the resistance pattern by a predetermined method to protect and insulate the resistance pattern; a conductor layer in which a metal material is deposited on the upper surface of the first insulator layer by a predetermined method; and a thin film protective layer deposited on the upper surface of the conductor layer to provide insulation from the conductor layer, waterproofing, corrosion resistance, and chemical resistance.

Provided is a thermistor fixing structure capable of facilitating insertion of a thermistor into a temperature sensitive cylinder, and preventing the thermistor from easily dropping off the temperature sensitive cylinder. In a thermistor fixing structure (4000), a fixture (400) for pressing a thermistor (80) against an inner surface of a temperature sensitive cylinder (90) includes an inner bending section (20) formed at one end portion (12) of a longitudinal section (10) so as to function as a stopper for the thermistor (80) inserted into the temperature sensitive cylinder (90) from a cylinder insertion end (95), an outer bending section (50) formed at the one end portion (12) of the longitudinal section (10) so as to be opposed to a cylinder stop end (94), and an inner folding section (30) and an outer folding section (60) formed at another end portion (13) of the longitudinal section (10) so as to sandwich a cylinder top surface of the temperature sensitive cylinder (90). A side surface of the thermistor (80) is pressed at two points corresponding to an apex of a projecting portion (32) formed on the inner folding section (30) and a distal end (41) of a pressing section (40) formed continuously with the inner folding section (30), and a contact angle (α) formed between the pressing section (40) and the side surface of the thermistor (80) on the cylinder insertion end (95) side is an acute angle.

A manufacturing method for a temperature sensor includes a disposing step and a fixing step. The disposing step includes disposing a thermistor element so that a distal end portion of a first lead wire extends along a first side surface and passes by the first side surface, and a distal end portion of a second lead wire extends along a second side surface. The fixing step includes electrically connecting and fixing the first lead wire to a first outer electrode, and electrically connecting and fixing the second lead wire to a second outer electrode, in a state in which a first corner and a second corner are respectively supported by the first lead wire and the second lead wire.

The temperature sensor can have a core having a length extending between two ends, the core having a cavity extending along the length, a wire extending in the cavity, along the length, the wire fixed at both ends, the core having a transversal aperture at an intermediary location between the ends, the transversal aperture leading into the cavity, and a potting filling a portion of the cavity and supporting the wire at the intermediary location of the transversal aperture.

A humidifier heater base assembly has a heater plate with a thermally conductive portion and a perimeter portion around a perimeter of the heater plate. A resilient member has an inner part attached to the perimeter portion and an outer part adapted to provide a resilient perimeter flange around at least part and preferably the whole of the perimeter portion. The resilient member fixes the heater base to the humidifier by the resilient perimeter flange such that the heater plate and the inner part can move relative to the humidifier in a direction substantially transverse to the general plane of the heater plate. At least a portion of the resilient perimeter flange remains stationary relative to the humidifier.

A humidifier heater base assembly has a heater plate with a thermally conductive portion and a perimeter portion around a perimeter of the heater plate. A resilient member has an inner part attached to the perimeter portion and an outer part adapted to provide a resilient perimeter flange around at least part and preferably the whole of the perimeter portion. The resilient member fixes the heater base to the humidifier by the resilient perimeter flange such that the heater plate and the inner part can move relative to the humidifier in a direction substantially transverse to the general plane of the heater plate. At least a portion of the resilient perimeter flange remains stationary relative to the humidifier.